Another actor Renato Musolino will play the role of Pozdnyshev, with his script in his hand.

State Theatre Company artistic director, Geordie Brookman, said it had been a tough couple of days, but the three-week show must go on.

"There's part of me that would say I would've loved it if my first show was a slightly calmer experience, but then there's another part of me that just goes 'Well this is live theatre and this is why live theatre is so exciting'," he said.

"People love these risky situations and there's something thrilling about it where you're really seeing a performer walk a tightrope.

"If that's something that excites people and it gets them through the door and experiencing theatre, then I say I'm all for it."

The Adelaide Festival officially starts this weekend, with a free opening night concert in Elder Park in the city on Friday evening, headlined by music legends Neil Finn and Paul Kelly.